Posts categorized "Flash the Donkey"

May 22, 2017

On Friday I posted a photo of my little office- the room I'm spending most of my life in right now.

You see, I'm working on another book! Yep, it's true.

What is this book about, you ask?

Well, it's a book about finding new purpose as you work through the uncertainties of transitioning from one season of life into another (remember I've gone from being a busy mom to an empty-nester).

It's about experiencing the pain of failure and disappointment, and discovering that these things make a way for a deeper, more joyful spiritual life.

It's got donkeys, and funny stories, and some deeply personal things that I've never shared before.

I've cried my eyes out, and laughed myself silly....and I've also done plenty of beating my head against the keyboard trying to get this book written.

Just for fun, here is a photo of my "idea" wall - color-coded post-it notes with words or phrases to jog my memory or keep me focused. I find that I need a big visual board to help me see the direction I'm supposed to go.

Did I mention the book has donkeys?

Well of course there is Flash, and his little friend Henry. They are my walking companions and sounding boards. Without them, I wouldn't have a story to tell.

These guys make me laugh, and they make me ponder some of the big questions in life. They help me remember Bible stories and prayer and all kinds of good stuff.

I will be writing all summer long, so if I have a far-away look in my eyes or you don't hear from me for days on end, you now know the reason why.

If you feel so inclined to pray for me, I would really love that. I so want to tell a good story, one that will capture my readers and inspire them to see their own circumstances in a new light, and I need God's help to do it.

Thank you to all of you dear people who keep buying and sharing my first book. You inspire me with your comments, emails and Amazon reviews!

December 07, 2016

I've got a gift for you, and a sweet way to finish up your Christmas shopping! Read on!

Most of you know about my new children's book, Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends, which came out recently. I'm so excited that it is finding its way under Christmas trees and into the hands of little people everywhere!

It's a story of an adorable donkey, whose curiosity sometimes gets him into trouble. With the help of his newfound friends – Jed the goat, Carson the pig, and Ruby the chicken – Flash manages to turn problems into adventures and learns valuable lessons along the way.

It's really a story about kindness, something this world needs more than ever right about now.

I loved getting to write and illustrate a story that invites conversation and activities for you and your children (or grandchildren!) People are falling in love with Flash and his friends, and are treasuring the charming story in these pages.

Named a 2015 Best Summer Book by Publishers Weekly, Flash remains a top book to read and share with others. It's both funny and touching, and I am bowled over that people love it so much they buy copies to give away! It is now in paperback, which makes it even better.

With Christmas right around the corner, I want to help you finish your Christmas shopping AND give you a gift in the process! Here's what I'm thinking:

This book provides a simple daily devotional, plus prompts and questions that are perfect for personal or group study. It is a brand new book, which I wrote as a resource for The Belong Tour, and its message is near and dear to my heart. As a "late-bloomer" to discovering my own purpose, I know you'll enjoy walking with me through the pages of Habakkuk as our inspiration for this workbook.

There are two ways to take advantage of this!

1. You can order directly from my store to receive signed copies. These are a little more expensive, but they are personalized by both Flash and I! I havea very limited quantity, so it will be first come-first served. If you'd like your books personalized, this is for you... but you'll have to hurry.

2. If you prefer Amazon, you can order there. After you order, email a copy of your receipt (a screenshot will work), along with your address, and I'll put Made to Belong in the mail to you, as my gift. Send it to rachelanne@homesanctuary.com. This way is super easy and quick, and a bit less expensive.

Remember, just order any total of five books to receive Made to Belong as a gift. I hope you'll keep a copy of each to keep for yourself!

I so appreciate each of you reading my blog and books throughout the year.

I'm looking forward to 2017 and sharing my heart especially for us "older moms" and women in transitional seasons of life. We need encouragement, and I'm here to remind you that you are loved and you are important to God.

October 04, 2016

I would love for you to come to my PJ Party on Friday night (Oct. 7) at 7 pm!

Now, not everyone will fit into my living room, so this will be a VIRTUAL party, via Facebook Live! All you need to do is hop over to Flash the Donkey's Facebook page, and I'll be posting live video so you can join in!

There will be music, games, food, and a special book reading...and of course Real Life Flash will be there too.

So, gather your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and any other kids in your life, and let's have some fun together!

Please wear your jammies!

PS There's a video invitation on Flash's page with a sneak peek at the "party set" we've been working on! (hint: there are life-sized storybook characters involved)

September 29, 2016

You never have to guess what he is feeling because it's written all over his face.

And then there's his body language:

When Jed is excited, he leaps on top of tables.

When he is mad, he harrumphs up a pile of hay bales.

When he's annoyed, he crosses his arms and looks away.

When he's happy, he grabs a ukelele and belts out a tune.

Jed is the goat who shoots from the hip, speaks his mind, jumps to conclusions, and commands the room.

He's just like that "annoying little brother" that reeeally drives you crazy sometimes.

But you can't live without him because, after all, he's the one that brings the party with him wherever he goes.

Today, we celebrate the "Jeds" we know and love. Who is it that makes you laugh, drives you nuts sometimes, and lives life to the hilt?

Please share your own special "Jed" story today for another chance at a signed book!

I loved hearing about all the special "Rubys" in your lives yesterday! I got emails, blog comments, Facebook comments and tweets, telling me about the wonderful mother-hens who take care of everyone around them. The winner of the signed Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends book is:

September 21, 2016

My brand new book, written especially for children and starring my dear friend Flash, will be out on October 1!

(Pause for nervous giggles!)

Here is the official synopsis:

"A Stray donkey with a penchant for inventions is taken in by a mismatched collection of barnyard friends. Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends is the heartwarming story of a not-so ordinary donkey who needs a special place to belong. Flash is the inquisitive type who loves to invent things and solve problems, but his curiosity sometimes gets him into trouble! With the help of his new-found friends–Jed the goat, Carson the pig, and Ruby the chicken–Flash manages to turn problems into adventures and learns valuable lessons along the way.

Inspired by Rachel Anne Ridge's memoir, Flash, names one of Publishers Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2015, kids will fall in love with this endearing donkey as they learn to appreciate the value of true friendship."

This book was both harder (and more fun) than I could have imagined. As a mural artist, I went into it thinking, "Pfff, how hard can it be to create 9x10 inch pages?"

Turns out, pretty hard.

I drew and re-drew. I painted and repainted. I Photoshopped and re-Photoshopped.

I obsessed. Fretted. Gave myself hip bursitis from sitting in my chair for weeks on end.

And of course, I fell in love with my characters.

Above all, I wanted to create a story that kids would genuinely LIKE. One that pulled them in and made them laugh. I wanted a book that parents would enjoy reading out loud, possibly over and over again. You know how that goes, right? LOL

Between now and October 1, I'll introduce you to the characters and tell you why I chose them!

Until then, here is one of my favorite pictures of Flash:

You can pre-order Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends on Amazon – and I'll be honest, I'll love it if you do! Buy it for your kids, grandkids, students, and friends. You can even buy it for yourself, just because you know Flash personally and should probably have one of your own!

June 29, 2016

Just when you think you're going in circles in your everyday life, He can intercept your plans and make His ways known to you.

From my desk today...

There's a story told in the Bible–1 Samuel 9–of a young man who is engaged in ordinary family affairs. His father's donkeys have gone missing, and he is given the task (along with a helper) to go and find them.

The young man's name was Saul...and he had no idea that his search for a band of renegade donkeys would start a chain of events that would eventually make him king of Israel.

The mission takes the pair of young men on a frustrating journey all over the countryside.

I'm sure they were thinking, "where on earth could these pranksters be?" They would have been familiar with the inquisitive nature of the animals, and probably realized just how much ground the sure-footed creatures could cover.

After three days of looking high and low, they finally give up and decide to head back home. Without cell phones to use to check in, Saul knows his father will be worried. In one last-ditch effort to find the donkeys they seek out the prophet Samuel, who just so happens to be in the area, in order for him to inquire of the Lord of the their whereabouts.

Unbeknownst to Saul, God had spoken to this prophet the day before, preparing him for their encounter. He told Samuel exactly what would happen and how the young man would come looking for him, and that this tall teenager was the one He'd chosen to be king.

The scene unfolds just as God described it.

Samuel invites Saul to feast with him and then just before they part ways, he anoints Saul's head with oil. This sacred action marks Saul for God's purpose in a tangible way.

Saul, however, is still concerned about his father's donkeys, to which Samuel reassures him.

"Those donkeys? Pssh, don't worry about them. They've already made it safely home on their own."

The donkeys didn't even really need to be found.

Because God had had something else in mind.

You see, the real purpose of Saul's journey was not to find a group of runaway animals. It was to get him to a place of encounter with God.

The task he was doing for his father was simply a means to move him into the right place at the right time.

It was when he was out of his comfort zone, his familiar surroundings, that God brought him face to face with what would be his true mission in life.

He was anointed for kingship right then and there.

I wonder if you, too, are on a seemingly insignificant journey?

Maybe your job is one that feels like it is going nowhere. You're wandering in circles, looking for your purpose, and yet somehow you know this is where God wants you. It all seems like such a waste of time and you're tempted to give up.

Perhaps God is moving you to place of encounter.

Perhaps, like Saul, God is leading you to moment of divine appointment. A place where your vision and purpose will suddenly come into full view!

Let me encourage you.

Watch and see: His purpose WILL unfold.

People and events will cross your path through divine appointments as you journey onward....things that would never happen unless you just keep going. Keep taking that next step.

God uses ordinary events in extraordinary ways.

He is able to take a "seemingly insignificant" job and boom! use it to put you right where you need to be.

Proverbs 16:9 tells us that a person can think he's planned his ways, but God is working behind the scenes to direct each step.

I love that.

Tell me: have you ever encountered God's purpose in the midst of the regular affairs of your life? Have you ever said, "so THIS is why I've been on this journey!" ? I'd love to hear about it.

Do you feel like you're going in circles today, trying to follow God's leading but can't figure out what His purpose is? Let me pray for you, that you'd encounter Him in a way that will clearly show His care and design for you.

November 30, 2015

When a stray donkey wandered into my life, I had no idea that I was about to learn some of life's greatest lessons. What could a long-eared, buck-toothed, braying animal possibly teach me, after all?

Turns out, plenty. Things like:

How knowing who I belong to changes everything

Where to find refuge in life's storms

How to conquer fear

How to find my passion

How persistence makes a way for grace

How to live honestly and authentically

Where to find abundance, even when you're in the middle of drought

What I'm made for - serving others in love

How to embrace change

How to make things right with others

And most importantly, I learned that my journey is not about fixing my problems, but it's about something else entirely.

Along the way, I learned the power of laughter...and it's one of the things I enjoy hearing most from people who have read the book: they've laughed the whole way through.

I've been overwhelmed by the many people who have emailed me to tell me that they are buying the book for friends. Oh my goodness, that makes me feel so happy. If you've been thinking of purchasing a copy for yourself or a friend, I want to make it easy!

This week, you can get signed copies of Flash for 20% off, when you buy them in my store.

September 28, 2015

I have such exciting news...I've been busting at the seams to tell you about it!

Flash the Donkey is becoming a children's book!

My wonderful publisher, Tyndale, will publish the book next fall so it will be in stores well in time for Christmas 2016.

I am both writing and illustrating the picture book, geared for children ages 3-7 or so.

And, I probably don't need to mention this, but this is an absolute lifelong dream come true.

Flash will come to life as an homeless donkey who is taken in by an engaging group of barnyard friends: a chicken named Ruby, a goat named Jed, and Carson the pig. Together, they have adventures, learn life lessons, and have a fun time doing it.

The story is really cute, and fun to read...and you'll find wonderful lessons to share with your child. I cannot WAIT to read this aloud to my granddaughters, who love nothing better than to sit on someone's lap and read books about animals.

What a coincidence, because I love nothing better than to hold them on my lap and read books about animals to them!

If I've been quiet around here, now you know why. (Confession: I'm also deep into another writing project, with a looming deadline...and truth be told, that's the REAL reason I've been holed up for the past several weeks.)

So....

Beans: officially spilled.

Arms: black and blue from pinching myself

There you have it, my friends. All the beans.

Well, most of them anyway. :)

With a grateful heart, Rachel

PS You can find out all about Flash the Donkey–the true story version–right here.